Kovan munan ajat

I had read somewhere that this film was much admired by Jean-Luc Godard. I did not allow that to deter me however and watched it anyway! Contrary to expectations I have to say I found it to be both engaging and entertaining.

Darry Cowl is not everyone's tasse de thé but he is just right here as Louis, the little man who wins a life-changing amount on the Lottery. Fernand Gravey whose career spanned half a century, is impeccable as a talentless painter with a Gauguin complex. Louis' employer is played by Julien Carette who seldom if ever disappoints. The supporting cast is splendid.

Even by the standards of director Norbert Carbonneaux this piece is on the 'quirky' side. There are some truly surreal episodes and yes, moments of comic genius.

It also has a gentle dig at self-delusion and the way in which our perception of people changes when they have loads of money to throw about. As the old Venetian proverb reminds us: "a man without money is a walking corpse"!